Restricted License Test

Restricted License Test

In-vehicle safety checks

The testing officer will check the applicant is able to identify where the following controls are located in the vehicle:

handbrake

windscreen demister

rear window demister (where fitted)

Test route stages

The test comprises two stages.

An applicant who does not achieve a satisfactory score in Stage 1 is not permitted to undertake Stage 2 of the test. In this way, applicants who are not ready to tackle the more challenging tasks in Stage 2 are screened out before they can pose a danger to themselves and other road users. Stage 1 of the test takes 10 minutes and is a set of relatively simple driving tasks conducted in a less complex traffic environment designed to assess the applicant’s driving ability. This stage determines whether the applicant is a sufficiently skilled and safe driver to proceed to the more challenging driving tasks and environments of Stage 2 of the test. Stage 2 of the test takes 35 minutes and is designed to assess the applicant’s ability to perform more challenging tasks in moderately challenging environments.

To pass the RLT, an applicant must demonstrate safe decision-making, observance of road rules and satisfactory car-handling skills throughout the whole test.

Stages 1 and 2 of the RLT must be undertaken during a single test booking. They cannot be split into separate appointments.

Assessment items

During the test the applicant will be assessed against three different assessment criteria:

Task assessment items which assess one aspect of driving performance during the execution of each assessable task.

Critical errors which are recorded at any time they occur during the RLT, whether during an assessable task or not.

Immediate failure errors are also recorded at any time they occur and result in the immediate failure of the test.

To pass the applicant can only record two critical errors over the duration of the test, but only one in part 1

Critical Errors

A critical error is a serious driving error that does not meet the threshold for an immediate failure error. Critical errors are recorded at any time they occur during either stage of the test, whether or not the applicant was undertaking an assessable task at the time of the error. Most illegal driving actions are classified as critical errors (except errors that endanger any road user, which are classified as immediate failure errors). Critical errors are more important than the errors assessed by task assessment items, so critical errors have a greater influence on the outcome of the test.

Critical errors include:

Too slow

Too fast

Failing to look

Failing to signal

Mounting a kerb

Stalling the vehicle

Incomplete stop at a Stop sign

Other illegal action

Blocking a pedestrian crossing

Immediate Failure Errors

Immediate failure errors are recorded at any time they occur during either stage of the test regardless of whether or not the applicant was undertaking an assessable task at the time of the error. All driving actions resulting in immediate danger to any road user or to property are classified as immediate failure errors and would usually be when the applicant is operating the vehicle carelessly, dangerously or recklessly. Immediate failure errors are the most dangerous errors of all, and result in immediate failure of the test.

Immediate failure errors include:

Testing Officer intervention

Failing to carry out an instruction

Collision

Failing to give way

Excessive speed

Stopping at dangerous position

Failing to stop

Other dangerous action

The Driving Test

When you come to sit the DRIVING TEST the testing officer is not looking for perfection. He wants to know that you are safe to drive unsupervised, and won't do yourself or anyone else any harm.

You will be assessed on the following:

Searching: Looking and thinking ahead, checking to the sides and rear for hazards. Looking over your shoulder to check the blind spot.